HRM 200 WORKFORCE PLANNING (Recruitment and Selection) REM 1 TASK 2 (Passed) WESTERN GOVERNORS
UNIVERSITY
A.Causes of Workplace Conflict:
• Overtime Pay Reduction: The decision to reduce overtime pay has created
tension as some firefighters have come to rely on it. For example, one firefighter
had taken out a mortgage based on their overtime income and now faces
potential financial hardship.
• Communication Breakdown: The lack of effective communication is evident in
the surprise caused by the front-page newspaper article. For instance, the
firefighters had no prior knowledge of the decision, and they feel disrespected
because their input was not sought before such a significant change.
• Entitlement Perception: Years of receiving overtime pay have led to a perception
of entitlement. For instance, some firefighters have expressed that they have
worked hard and risked their lives and now feel unappreciated due to the abrupt
cut in benefits.
B.Short-Term Outcomes if the Conflict is Not Resolved:
• Workplace Disruption: An immediate outcome could be a slowdown in response
times to emergencies as firefighters may refuse to take on additional shifts or
voluntary overtime. This can impact public safety and create operational
challenges for the fire department.
• Negative Public Perception: In the short term, negative media coverage of the
conflict could erode public trust in the fire department, leading to concerns about
the city's ability to manage emergency situations effectively.